Geranium plant named ‘Oglger3147’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Zonal  Geranium  plant named ‘Oglger3147’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; dark green-colored leaves; bright cherry rose-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Pelargonium×hortorum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘Oglger3147’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Zonal Geranium plant, botanically known as Pelargonium×hortorum, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Oglger3147’.

The new Zonal Geranium plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Lompoc, Calif. The objective of the breeding program is to create new compact Zonal Geranium cultivars with attractive and unique flower coloration.

The new Zonal Geranium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in March, 2000 in Lompoc, Calif. of a proprietary selection of Pelargonium×hortorum identified as code number 9952, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Pelargonium×hortorum identified as code number 9925, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Zonal Geranium was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Lompoc, California in March, 2001.

Asexual reproduction of the new Zonal Geranium plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Connellsville, Pa. since April, 2002, has shown that the unique features of this new Zonal Geranium plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Zonal Geranium have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Oglger3147’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Oglger3147’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Zonal Geranium:

-   -   1. Compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant         habit.     -   2. Freely branching habit.     -   3. Freely flowering habit.     -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.     -   5. Bright cherry rose-colored flowers.     -   6. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Zonal Geranium differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in growth habit as plants of the new Zonal Geranium are not as compact as plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Zonal Geranium differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in growth habit as plants of the new Zonal Geranium are more compact than plants of the male parent selection. In addition, plants of the new Zonal Geranium have darker-colored leaves and flowers than plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Zonal Geranium can be compared to plants of Pelargonium×hortorum ‘Clips Rose’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,411. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Encinitas, Calif., plants of the new Zonal Geranium differed primarily from plants of ‘Clips Rose’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Zonal Geranium were more compact than         plants of ‘Clips Rose’.     -   2. Plants of the new Zonal Geranium and ‘Clips Rose’ differed in         flower color as plants of ‘Clips Rose’ had rose-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Zonal Geranium plant, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Zonal Geranium plant.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Oglger3147’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of the sheet is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘Oglger3147’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown in Encinitas, Calif. in a plastic-covered greenhouse during the spring and under conditions which closely approximate Zonal Geranium commercial production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures averaged 24° C., night temperatures averaged 19° C. and light levels averaged 4,000 foot-candles. Plants had been growing for 13 weeks when the photographs and the description were taken. In the detailed description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Pelargonium×hortorum ‘Oglger3147’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of             Pelargonium×hortorum identified as code number 9952, not             patented.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Proprietary selection of             Pelargonium×hortorum identified as code number 9925, not             patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About ten days at             temperatures of 20° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at             temperatures of 16° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four             weeks at temperatures of 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About four             weeks at temperatures of 16° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fleshy; white in             color.         -   Rooting habit.—Moderate branching; moderately dense. -   Plant description:     -   -   General appearance.—Compact, upright, outwardly spreading             and mounding plant habit; densely foliated.         -   Growth and branching habit.—Moderately vigorous to vigorous             growth habit. Freely branching habit; about five primary             lateral branches develop per plant.         -   Plant height, to top of foliar plane.—About 10.5 cm.         -   Plant height, to top of umbels.—About 16 cm.         -   Plant diameter (spread).—About 20 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 5.5 cm. Diameter: About             8 mm. Internode length: About 4 mm. Texture: Pubescent.             Strength: Strong. Color: Close to 146B to 146C. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; simple.         -   Length.—About 5.5 cm.         -   Width.—About 6.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Reniform.         -   Apex.—Rounde.         -   Base—Cordate.         -   Margin.—Crenate and sinuate.         -   Venation pattern.—Palmate.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Densely pubescent.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 146A to             146B. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N137B; venation,             close to 146B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to 147B; venation, close to 147C. Zonation pattern: Not             observed.         -   Petiole.—Length: About 5.1 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm.             Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color,             upper and lower surfaces: Close to 147B. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower arrangement.—Rotate flowers arranged in hemispherical             umbels arising from apical leaf axils. Umbels displayed             above the foliage on strong peduncles. Flowers face upright             to outward; flowers slightly cupped becoming flatter with             development.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit; about 16 to 18             flowers per umbel; about five developed umbels per plant at             one time.         -   Flowering season.—In Encinitas, Calif., flowering is             continuous during the spring and summer.         -   Flower longevity.—Individual flowers last about four to five             days on the plant; flowers persistent.         -   Umbel height.—About 4.5 cm.         -   Umbel diameter.—About 8.3 cm.         -   Flower diameter.—About 3.8 cm.         -   Flower depth (height).—About 1.5 cm.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 1.3 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm.             Shape: Ovoid. Color: More pale than 156D.         -   Petals.—Quantity per flower: About eight to ten in one to             two whorls. Length: About 2 cm. Width: About 1.8 cm. Shape:             Roughly obovate. Apex: Rounded. Base: Attenuate. Margin:             Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;             velvety. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 71B.             When opening, lower surface: Close to 69D. Fully opened,             upper surface: Close to 53C; towards the base, close to 51A;             venation, close to 53C; color does not fade with             development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 58C to             58D; at the base, close to 58C; venation, close to 58B to             58C.         -   Petaloids.—Quantity per flower: About ten. Length: About 9             mm to 16 mm. Width: About 2 mm to 8 mm. Shape: Irregular,             mostly oblong. Apex: Rounded to acute. Base: Attenuate.             Margin: Mostly entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous; velvety. Color: When opening, upper             surface: Close to 58C. When opening, lower surface: Close to             N57C to N57D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 53C; at             the base, close to NN155D; venation, close to 53C; color             does not fade with development. Fully opened, lower surface:             Close to 53D; at the base, close to N155D; venation, close             to 53D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: Five, arranged in a single             whorl. Length: About 1.1 cm. Width: About 2.5 mm. Shape:             Narrowly elliptical. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Attenuate.             Margin: Entire. Texture, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous.             Texture, lower surface: Pubescent. Color, upper and lower             surfaces: Close to 146B.         -   Peduncle (umbel stem).—Length: About 8.2 cm. Diameter: About             3 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Close to             187A.         -   Pedicel (individual flower stem).—Length: About 2.8 cm.             Diameter: About 1 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture: Pubescent.             Color: Close to 187B.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen quantity per flower:             About ten. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther shape: Oblong.             Anther color: Close to 183B. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen             color: Close to 174A. Gynoecium: Pistil quantity per flower:             One. Pistil length: About 1.1 cm. Stigma shape: Split into             five parts, star-shaped. Stigma color: Close to 187B. Style             length: About 2.5 mm. Style color: Close to 187B. Ovary             color: Close to 142D.         -   Seed/fruit.—Seed and fruit development have not been             observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Zonal Geranium have not     been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Zonal     Geraniums. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Zonal Geranium have been     observed to tolerate rain, wind, and temperatures ranging from about     2° C. to about 35° C. and have demonstrated good garden performance. 

1. A new and distinct Zonal Geranium plant named ‘Oglger3147’ as illustrated and described. 